In the Rafalell i Vistabella marsh, in the municipality of Massamagrell, the regional administration has launched a butterfly garden designed to enhance biodiversity of this wetland surrounded by urban and industrial areas. The initiative is part of a broader ecological restoration plan, which aims to recover natural processes, improve the landscape, and bring the space closer to the public.
This marshland, with approximately 100 hectares in area and a high ecological valueIt has become established as a refuge for fauna and flora in the Valencia metropolitan area. The creation of the butterfly garden and associated initiatives aim to consolidate its role as such. ecological corridor, ensuring biological connectivity between populations of endemic fish, native turtles and migratory birds.
A garden designed for the life cycle of butterflies
The core of the project is a butterfly garden specifically planted to cover all phases of its life cycleThe wetlands brigade in the northern area is planting a combination of horticultural species such as fennel, broccoli, different varieties of cabbage, amaranth, red and white radishes, and turnips.
These plants act as Nutritional and nectariferous resources for butterfliesThey provide leaves for the caterpillars to feed on, quiet areas for the pupal stage, and flowers that serve as nectar source to adults. The idea is that the garden functions as a safe environment where insects can complete, without interruption, from the laying of eggs to the hatching of the new adults.
Some of the butterfly species that are expected to be favored function as natural indicators of the good ecological status of the wetlandTheir presence and abundance help to assess whether the marsh maintains an adequate environmental quality, something especially relevant in an environment under great pressure from urbanization.
The garden has been designed with low-impact criteria, so that the intervention respects the natural dynamics of the wetland area and integrates into the existing mosaic of habitats. The combination of horticultural plants and native vegetation creates a diverse plant structure that also benefits others. pollinating invertebrates.
Plantations, shelters and control of insectivorous fauna
Beyond the butterflies, the project incorporates measures for to favor other allied species in the balance of the ecosystemNest boxes for insectivorous birds and birds of prey are being installed at various points in the marsh, including the common kestrel during the day and the barn owl at night.
These birds, along with the bat shelters, contribute to natural control of insect populationsreducing the need to resort to more aggressive methods. Its presence helps maintain a biological balance more stable and diversified, with benefits both for the wetland itself and for human uses of the surrounding area.
In parallel, a invasive species control campaign that affect the functioning of the marsh. Notable among them are giant reed (Arundo donax) and bramble (Rubus ulmifolius), plants that colonize large areas rapidly, displace native vegetation, and reduce the diversity of available habitats.
The gradual removal of these species opens up space for native wetland plants and new plantings to take root. This work, although less visible than other actions, is key to to guarantee the long-term stability of the butterfly garden and the entire ecosystem.
Landscape improvement, green screens, and orderly public use
The restoration is not limited to the orchard area itself. With the support of the Center for Forestry Innovation and Experimentation (CIEF), new approaches are being introduced. tree and shrub species of controlled origin, selected to adapt to the marsh conditions and reinforce plant diversity.
These plantations will serve to create natural screens in front of adjacent urban areassoftening the visual impact of industrial and residential areas on the wetland landscape. At the same time, they will serve as a refuge and feeding ground for birds, insects, and small vertebrates, creating microhabitats that provide shade and protection from the wind.
The planned actions also include the installation of wooden walkways that delineate visitor routes. This lightweight infrastructure is designed to organize public use, prevent trampling of sensitive areas, and facilitate observation of the surroundings without excessively interfering with wildlife.
The design of these itineraries is carried out with the advice of Centre for Environmental Education of the Valencian Community (CEACV), with the intention of transforming the marsh into a suitable space for environmental education activitiesSchool visits and peaceful walks in direct contact with nature.
A strategic wetland in the network of marshes in the metropolitan area
The Rafalell i Vistabella marsh is part of the Valencian Catalogue of Wetlands and is integrated into the network of marshes that historically extended north of the Turia River, from Alboraia to Sagunt. Fed by groundwater and irrigation runoff, this area has ideal conditions for to host a wide variety of plant and animal species.
Its location, surrounded by industrial and residential areas, makes it function as a true oasis of biodiversity in the heart of the Valencia metropolitan areaIn addition to serving as a refuge for endemic fish and native turtles, it acts as a resting place for migratory birds and as a key element in the ecological connectivity along the Valencian coast.
The measures being promoted by the Third Vice Presidency and the Ministry of Environment, Infrastructure, Territory and Recovery seek to reconcile conservation, dissemination and social useThe intervention of VAERSA's wetland maintenance brigade and the coordination with the Protected Natural Areas Management Service allow the project to be addressed in a technical and continuous manner over time.
